Take That Netflix Series Exposes Band's Darkest Truths and Personal Struggles
A revealing new Netflix documentary about Take That has laid bare some of the band's most painful secrets and personal battles, offering fans an unprecedented look behind the curtain of Britain's most enduring pop phenomenon. The three-part series, which charts the group's 35-year journey, features never-before-seen footage, rare archive material, and candid interviews that expose previously hidden struggles.
Gary Barlow's Secret Battle with Bulimia and Depression
The documentary reveals that Gary Barlow, the band's chief songwriter, secretly battled bulimia during one of the most difficult periods of his life. Following the band's initial split and Robbie Williams' departure, Barlow found himself becoming a national laughing stock while Williams' solo career soared to unprecedented heights.
"There was a period of about 13 months where I didn't leave the house once," Barlow admits in the documentary. "And I'd also start to put weight on, and the more weight I put on, the less people would recognise me. I thought, 'well, this is good'. This is what I'd been waiting for, living a normal life."
Barlow describes developing an eating disorder while maintaining a facade of productivity to his family. "You get out of bed and you've got to go, 'Hey everyone, I'm going into the studio now'. And dad would go off to do his day's work, and I'd literally sit there watching the piano, thinking 'I used to write big hits on that thing'. Now, the piano was the enemy," he confesses.
Robbie Williams' Alcohol Struggles and Dramatic Exit
The documentary provides new insight into Robbie Williams' departure from the band in 1995, revealing that his infamous Glastonbury appearance was followed by serious alcohol problems. Williams admits to drinking neat bottles of vodka daily in his hotel room during this period.
"I'd go into these rehearsals the next day that I wasn't fit to do because my body would be full of crap, and my head had hurt and I couldn't take in information at the best of times," Williams recalls. "Something just snapped inside my head, you know? And I went, 'well, then I'll leave'."
Bandmate Mark Owen remembers Williams returning from Glastonbury "absolutely wasted," adding that Gary Barlow and Jason Orange "got pretty pissed off about that." The documentary shows how Williams' departure created lasting tensions that would take decades to heal.
Howard Donald's Suicidal Thoughts After Band Split
Perhaps the most shocking revelation comes from Howard Donald, who admits he seriously contemplated suicide after the band's initial split in 1996. Donald reveals he considered jumping into the River Thames during a period of deep depression.
"It was almost going towards a depressive state, and then I decided to go to the Thames," Donald confesses. "The state of my mind at that time, I was seriously thinking of jumping in the Thames, thinking I wanted to kill myself, but I'm just too much of a s**tbag to do it."
Donald reflects on how unprepared he was for life outside the band, saying: "I'm only trained at being a pop star, you know, a bit of paint spraying. So it hit me quite hard." He credits becoming a father in 1999 with helping him move forward from this dark period.
Jason Orange's Quiet Departure and Royalty Demands
The documentary sheds new light on Jason Orange's departure from the band, revealing that he had been pushing for Robbie Williams' return before ultimately deciding to leave himself. Orange insisted on significant changes when the band reformed, including the removal of their original manager and a fairer royalty distribution system.
"I think he decided if we got too big for our boots, it wasn't going to work. So he made us all feel insecure. I didn't want to feel like that anymore," Orange recalls of their original management.
Gary Barlow admits he knew Orange was planning to leave: "I knew this was enough for him. I knew Jason was leaving. I think he'd found it hard coming back. I feel like he'd enjoyed the success, but he didn't want it forever."
Surprise New Song and 2026 Tour Plans
In a treat for fans, the documentary concludes with a hidden new track called 'You're A Superstar' during the closing credits of the final episode. Sources close to the band confirm this is the first track from a new Take That album scheduled for release later this year, ahead of their planned 2026 tour.
The upbeat pop track features lyrics about being in love and represents a new chapter for the now three-piece band. A source revealed: "The band thought it would be a great surprise and a treat for fans at the end of the Netflix series. It's a great way to tease their new material and the full single will be coming soon."
Reflections on Mental Health and Recovery
Throughout the documentary, band members reflect on their mental health struggles and how they've processed these difficult experiences. Howard Donald notes that discussing mental health wasn't common during their early years: "We were never the sort of people to talk about mental health. I think I've processed the emotions I felt around that time."
Gary Barlow admits that watching the documentary was challenging: "Some of it was hard to watch – especially that middle hour, which covers the period after the band broke up. It was just a hard, hard time."
The documentary serves as both a celebration of Take That's remarkable career and a raw examination of the personal costs of fame, offering fans the most complete picture yet of Britain's most successful boy band turned enduring pop institution.
